April 25 - March for Truth Versus March for Murder

Editor's note: This page, unlike the rest of the site, presents letters in top down order, i.e., first letter on top, last letter at the bottom.

Jan. 26, 2004

Re: April 25 - March for Truth versus March for Murder - Important Update

Helen and other Pro-Life Crusaders,

I strongly support your efforts at preventing abortion. However, I can't support Randall Terry because of a lifestyle he has chosen which is at odds with the faith. Below is a link that explains how Mr. Terry abandoned his wife and children to marry his secretary, was censured by his Church for failing to repent of his public adultery, and how he has used his pro-life contacts for personal financial gain.

When I was first made aware of these charges, I contacted Mr. Terry, whom I had previously supported financially, and asked him to explain them. He refused to respond to my emails, although he had previously corresponded with me in regards to his music work and his efforts to raise money for his new home in Florida.

I have asked Dr. Keyes to cease his support of Mr. Terry as Keyes lends credibility to a man who no longer deserves it.

The author of this article is a personal friend of mine and a man whom I have the utmost trust in:

http://www.operationsaveamerica.org/articles/articles/please-remove-randalls-feeding-tube.htm

I hope you will reconsider your support of Mr. Terry and his lifestyle.

Yours,

Jeff Cassman

Jan. 26, 2004

Re: Jeff Cassman's Letter

If you reread Helen's letter, I'm sure you will find that you misunderstood her position. We do not support Randall Terry, nor do we invite any link between our organizations. Helen was in fact pointing out her opposition to him without detailing the many scandals which follow him. Our most frequent activity is that of conducting Face The Truth demonstrations in which we display large signs of abortion victims. Since Alan Keyes has publicly criticized Face The Truth tactics we assume that Randall Terry opposes them as well. Therefore even without the scandals which surround Randall Terry and impugn the pro-life community as a whole, we still nonetheless find ourselves at a strong tactical and philosophical variance with the man. I hope I have clarified our position. If not please feel free to contact me further.

By the way, not that it matters, but you should know that the idea for a counter-demonstration was originally Helen's. She had the idea after checking N.O.W.'s website and reading their announcement of a march on Washington on 4/25. She rightly concluded that the pro-aborts should not be permitted the only voice before the nation on that critical day. Not surprisingly Randall Terry is taking credit for her idea.

Jerry Moynihan

Jan. 26, 2004

Re: Jerry's Letter

I can confirm the original idea was Helen's as I somehow find myself this many months on Gary McCullough's listserv. Gary is a front man for "Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry" and it is Gary's listserv and website where Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry's trial balloons are first floated and where his forays are promoted. Helen was advancing the idea about two months before it first appeared on Gary's listserv as being organized by Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry.

Nevertheless, unless it can be shown that Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry knew about Helen's promotion, I don't think he need be charged with stealing her idea. He may simply have thought of it on his own as another chance for him to indulge his affinity for publicity.

In general it may be wise to take the approach to Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry that St. Paul counsels towards preachers-on-the-make in Philippians 1:15-19.

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

...namely that if Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry wants to take credit for the idea, let him have it. As long as God and you know Helen is the prime mover, what better confirmation is there? As for Operation Rescue Founder [ad nauseum] Randall Terry, better to have someone show up for the babies and moms in selfish ambition mode than not show up at all. Because God can use it despite the motives.

Whew, I'm glad I got that out... finally. I was getting finger-cramp typing Operation Res.. cu..e Fl..ou..n..der.. ing... [ad n..a..u..s..

Francis G. McCloskey

Jan. 27, 2004

Re: Francis' Letter

It amazes me that the pro-life movement ever succeeds at anything with such vicious back-stabbing such as shown in these emails.

Randall Terry has repented and sought and received restoration. See: http://www.randallterry.com/home/index.cfm?page=14

In this posted and public letter Bishop Bates says, “Mr. Terry has received the sacraments of the Church and has listened to the advice and counsel of clergy and professional counselors. To say Mr. Terry is un-repentant is false. He has confessed, repented, received absolution and has been restored by the Church of which he is a now a member, and has been a member since 1999.”

As for the event in Washington, DC--

To condemn Randall Terry and Alan Keyes over what tactics they picked for this particular event is very sad. To focus such hostilities on our own troops over a purely tactical difference is just wrong. It is a big event, and it is only one event. Randall has employed the use of Face the Truth signs in the past, and has defended their use. But this time the groups who attended the planning meeting voted to not use that tactic, this time. Those who are now dissenting were invited, but chose not to participate. So now they complain.

I am so disappointed to see a couple of individuals put such energy and effort into turf protecting and rumor mongering. If this shoe fits . . . you need to repent.

God Save Us!

Gary McCullough
Christian Communication Network
2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington DC 20006
202.546.0054

Jan. 27, 2004

From a friend of Randall Terry, and co-sponsor of Operation Witness

Like Ronald Reagan used to say, There he goes again."

Fr. Francis is on a mission to slander my good friend Randall Terry, and I for one am sick of his derisive comments about a good man.

Anyone interested in joining Operation Witness which will take on the pro-aborts in Washington, DC on the weekend of April 23-25, please contact Chris Slattery at SlatteryNY@aol.com or go to the website www.OperationWitness.com.

I worked hard promoting the project with Randall Terry and Gary McCullough in DC at the March for Life and we received an outstanding reception from pro-lifers from around the country.

Of course, it really doesn't matter who thought of the idea of a counter protest first?Who cares? Pat Mahoney is also organizing protests there the same weekend too.

Please end the personal attacks on other pro-lifers. Those who do so are the ones hurting the movement.

Yours for Life,
Chris Slattery

Jan. 27, 2004

response to $$ charges?

Dear Gary and Chris,

Thanks for your contribution to this discussion. I wonder if I might ask you for further information.

I am very interested in getting to the truth of this matter. Of the charges listed at http://www.operationsaveamerica.org/articles/articles/please-remove-randalls-feeding-tube.htm, the “adultery” charge seems to be vitiated by the pastor's statement and one article cited: http://rutherford.org/articles/oldspeak-randall_terry.asp.

As an aside, let me say I sympathize with the more scripturally minded among us who believe that remarriage before the death of one's spouse is adultery (and as a Catholic, I myself whole-heartedly agree), but it's difficult to see how their disapproval is compatible with the private interpretation of Scripture (“Sola Scriptura”) that their denominations have lived by for the last several hundred years. In any event, I think we can plausibly say that Randall is acting in good conscience on this matter, as taught by his Church (albeit the Church of his choice).

The charges that have yet to be answered, at least in this forum, and the most substantive ones as far as Randall Terry's pro-life work is concerned, are the alleged financial improprieties. If there are any answers to these charges, I would greatly appreciate hearing them.

It is important for all of us to know the truth so that pro-life can move forward without hinderance from either (1) baseless infighting and the ruin of a man's good name, or (2) squandering money on the self-indulgence of a fallen leader.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,
John W. Keck

Jan. 27, 2004

I do not know you but I from what I have just read I know that you are a rumormonger and a liar

Dear Jeff:

I do not know you but I from what I have just read I know that you are a rumormonger and a liar.

Randall has responded to everyone who has taken the time to ask him about the false and malicious rumors being spread about him and his family on the Internet.
Randall has not abandoned his children. I saw the youngest one last night. She is also the only child from Randall's first marriage still living at home. She lives with Randall, and Randall is paying for her college. None of the children live with Cindy.
Randall did not abandon his wife.
For those of you who have been sent this lie from Jeff (whoever he is). Details on Randall's divorce, repentance, and restoration are available at: http://www.randallterry.com/home/index.cfm?page=14

As for Jeff, consider what the Scriptures say about your unrepentant actions:

Leviticus 19:16

" 'Do not go about spreading slander among your people. " 'Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor's life. I am the LORD .

Psalm 35:15

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.

Psalm 38:20

Those who repay my good with evil slander me when I pursue what is good.

Psalm 41:6

Whenever one comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it abroad.

Psalm 50:20

You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.

Psalm 54:5

Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

Psalm 56:2

My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride.

Psalm 101:5

Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.

Psalm 109:20

May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.

Psalm 109:29

My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

Psalm 119:23

Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will meditate on your decrees.

Psalm 140:11

Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence

Proverbs 10:18

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Proverbs 14:5

A truthful witness does not deceive, but a false witness pours out lies.

Proverbs 24:28

Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, or use your lips to deceive.

Jeremiah 6:28

They are all hardened rebels, going about to slander. They are bronze and iron; they all act corruptly.

Jeremiah 18:19

Listen to me, O LORD ; hear what my accusers are saying!

Ezekiel 22:9

In you are slanderous men bent on shedding blood; in you are those who eat at the mountain shrines and commit lewd acts.

Ezekiel 36:3

Therefore prophesy and say, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Because they ravaged and hounded you from every side so that you became the possession of the rest of the nations and the object of people's malicious talk and slander,

Matthew 15:19

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.

Mark 7:22

greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.

Romans 16:17

I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.

Romans 16:18

For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

1 Corinthians 1:10

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.

1 Corinthians 5:11

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.

1 Corinthians 6:10

nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 12:25

so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

2 Corinthians 12:20

For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.

Ephesians 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Colossians 3:8

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

2 Timothy 3:3

without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without selfcontrol, brutal, not lovers of the good,

Titus 2:3

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.

Titus 3:2

to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

James 4:11

Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.

1 Peter 2:1

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.

1 Peter 3:16

keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

Jude 1:19

These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

Sincerely,

Gary McCullough

Jan. 27, 2004

Re: From a friend of Randall Terry . . .

Dear All,

My email was not intended to in any way deny Helen's role in this great crusade. It was, simply, to share what I believe is relevant information regarding a prominent member of the pro-life movement. If Mr. Terry had even bothered to respond to my inquiries when I first wrote him about this, I might very well not make public the accusations, understanding that there are always two sides (if not more) to a story. However, when men of unquestioned character make serious allegations and Mr. Terry refuses even to respond, it is to me as good as an admission of guilt.

When a brother has been approached and remains in sin, when he refuses repentance, when he abandons his wife and children to live in an adulterous relationship, it is not a 'personal attack' to warn others of his behavior.

I don't have any problem with Mr. Terry's pro-life activities. I have a problem with his mocking of the sacrament of marriage. As long as he and his (true) wife are still living, he's living in a state of perpetual adultery.

Jeff

Jan. 28, 2004

Randy Terry - THIS is what matters - Face the Facts

In New York State Court documents related to that matter, Randall Terry committed perjury by telling the court: “The past two years have been difficult financially for me.... I am three months behind in my rent, in addition to my numerous other debts. Since June, in order to pay necessities, we have been selling many items....” Yet days after making this claim in court, Randall put $20,000 down on a home in Florida for his new family.

Randall has publicly taken credit for his role in the U.S. Supreme Court case, NOW v. Scheidler, decided earlier this year, which gave pro-life forces a victory when the Court ruled that federal authorities could not use racketeering statutes to go after pro-life leaders. Randall's website (as of 10.21.03 - it may disappear quick) lists a press release entitled, “Randall wins his case before the Supreme Court” (http://www.randallterrylive.org/press.htm). But the fact is that Randall abandoned his co-defendants and settled with pro-abortion forces in January 1998, months before the case even came to trial. Randall's capitulation encouraged the pro-abortion movement to pursue the remaining defendants even more vigorously, subjecting them to further legal harassment and financial claims against them. In an interview I conducted in January with Joe Scheidler (the lead defendant in the case), he informed me that Operation Rescue and Randall Terry wouldn't pay for any legal expenses associated with the case and the appeals, despite the fact that he continued to proclaim his role in the case and raised money to “recoup his losses.”
While raising funds claiming that he had been deprived of a home by the “pro-abortion movement,” Randall was having a new $432,000 Atlantic Ocean beachfront home built in an exclusive gated community in South Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. ( http://www.icihomes.com/content/community/ponte_vedra/turtle.html) Randall had purchased the property (with money he had raised from donors) more than eight months *before* sending out the fliers claiming he was homeless. In fact, Randall admitted to World Magazine that the fundraising letters were intended as a means for him to be able to pay cash for the house by the time the construction was complete. He closed on the house earlier this year and now resides there.
Another bone of contention is Randall's claims that pro-abortion forces stripped him of everything he owned, down to his frequent flyer miles. But in fact, Randall declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy to avoid the financial impact of the court judgments against him and to escape from the 38 separate creditors (many credit card companies) that he had taken money from (as an aside, the Bible calls this theft). The pro-abortion movement then turned their attention to his ex-wife, Cindy. By declaring bankruptcy, Randall left her holding the bag. Cindy Terry ended up having to sell her home to cover her ex-husband's bankruptcy debts, though he has failed thus far to reciprocate: none of the money that he has raised over the past year to “restore” himself to financial health has been passed on to help Cindy and his daughter, Faith, recover the losses they incurred as a result of his bankruptcy.
In the email solicitations sent out earlier this week and on the online contribution webpage linked in the email there is no mention that the contributions he asks for are not tax-deductible, but rather, go straight into his pocket. The post office box address he used in these email solicitations is exactly the same he used earlier this year for the “Terry Family Trust”, a for-profit corporation that has his family as the sole beneficiaries. As a for-profit, the organization does not have to file the required IRS Form 990 that gives public disclosure for receipts, assets and disbursements from the donations the organization receives, meaning that there is no financial accountability or transparency for all the money Randall has recently received from the Christian community. During my investigation earlier this year, Randall and his attorneys refused my repeated requests for any information about the financial status, corporate officers, oversight and legal representation of the organization. To this day, despite speaking with numerous officials with the IRS, the Tennessee and Florida Secretaries of State and the Texas Attorney General's office, I have been unable to locate the incorporation state and status for the “Terry Family Trust.”
According to those federal and state officials, Randall is violating numerous charitable solicitation laws by not clearly stating whether contributions are tax-deductible or not. This is a problem that donors encountered earlier this year who gave to build Randall's $432,000 home and have funded his recent activities. Until both Lynn Vincent of World Magazine and I confronted him that his website did not bear the necessary disclosures, there was only one mention buried in his website (on the “Contacts” page) that contributions were not tax-deductible. There was no hint in the emails or direct mail pieces he sent, or on the contributions pages on his website of the for-profit tax status of the “Terry Family Trust.” Randall claimed that it was “an oversight,” an odd claim for a man that has raised millions of dollars in contributions over the past twenty years. And yet just a few months later, he is once again sending out solicitations that make no mention of the tax status of the organization he is raising money for, or what the money will be used for. His recent email appeals seem to indicate that the money will not be given to the Schiavo family that he claims to be fighting for, but to cover his personal expenses associated with his related self-promotion campaign.

Sadly, there is much more that could be mentioned, but this is sufficient to demonstrate that even if Randall's past efforts for the cause of Christ were considered, he has completely disqualified himself from any leadership position in the Christian community through his unwillingness to be held accountable for his adultery, theft, lies, deceptions, misrepresentations, perjury, failing to provide for his first wife and children, and evasion of church discipline.

Even though she had never spoken publicly about their divorce or his non-payment of child support, Cindy Terry spoke with World Magazine, pleading for the Christian community to stop supporting Randall. “I don't want to see any more donors misled,” she said.

Helen Westover

Jan. 31, 2004

prolifer v prolifer?

Dear All,

Tired as I am of this thing, I need to make one thing clear; this is not about “prolifers fighting prolifers”. It is about prolifers fighting for the truth: What do we have to gain by exposing Randall Terry? Not a thing. I have been put in the uncomfortaple position of being the kid who points out the the “Emperor Has No Clothes”. I have been accused of libel and slander.

My stake in this is what I said in the beginning - money is pouring in to a source that has proven to be unreliable. I try to give a couple of bucks once in a while to Center for Bioethical Reform, Life Dynamics, Prolife Action League. Then I receive a Conservative Petitions appeal for Terry - multi-million dollar full-color appeals from Alan Keyes to give money to a person - Terry. Non-tax-deductible. No accountablilty. His own collegues at the now defunct Operation Rescue won't give him the time of day.

Go to operationsaveamerica.org or email Flip Benham about the article “Please Remove Randall's Feeding Tube.” The facts are all there - some appear to have been intimidated about outing Terry. I am not - nor is Flip. Flip's email (spoke to him today and he gave me permission to give this out, is flip1@ctc.net.

Flip and I discussed Randy's taking media credit for saving Terri Schiavo's life - Flip saw it; he was there, along with hundreds of others, pressuring for Terri's Law. Yet the only person to take credit for this was Randy. It was a huge moment for the prolife movement, and Randy mugs for the microphone. Just as he did when NOW v Scheidler won the RICO case. It was NOT a difference of opinion as to strategy - it was abandonment of Joe and Ann Scheidler. Joe told me yesterday that Randy asked Ann, “Are you mad at me?” Ann said “YES” Joe said, “No, but I'm disappointed.” remember that the full force of the RICO outrage fell upon the Prolife Action League; Terry's group had broken the “Law”.

Joe's never did - yet with Randy out of the way, the NAGS had to come up with perjured testimony to accuse Joe of lawbreaking and violence. It would have taken just a word from Randy - he refused to testify! This is not the action of a Christian - to abandon a brother prolifer to save his own skin- to take credit for the sweat of others.

Sure, it is “all lies”. They are spinning big time/ But this much is true - the worst thing for our movement is to be taken over by someone who has his own interests in mind; financially, and otherwise.

I'd be glad to swear to what I know in a court of law. This is about pro-lifers trying to rid their movement of a man who cares not for it; only for himself.

Give your money to Joe, or Greg Cunninham, or Mark Crutcher. They are serious about saving the “next victim”. No monuments, like the one to be put up by Operation Witness: just grunt work, being cursed, and being effecive. No “stars”. No heroes.

Helen Westover

Jan. 31, 2004

Re: prolifer v prolifer?

Helen, Thanks for treating me and Randall as chopped liver! Your attack has been actually ultimately good for our souls!

Please pray for Randall and his family, as they just buried one of his grandmothers this weekend, by the way. (And he didn't hold a press conference at the church, in case Helen you were wondering!)

Let's see Helen, you even now manage to ignore telling your friends (and a few of mine) of my organization, www.ExpectantMotherCare.org, with soon 10 life saving clinics in NYC and suburbs which has been saving lives in NYC since 1985, saving over 12,000 children from certain abortion...

... but I guess you're now too mad at me for defending Randall so you tell your friends to support only the good groups in Texas and California and Illinois who perhaps have condemned Randall. Fine.

Everybody else,

I'm sorry Helen and I have put you through this. (I guess Helen would say Randall has!)

I have made up my mind, having read the attacks again and again and studied the facts, but I have concluded that while Randall is not perfect, like all of us, he is a good man, and a great pro-lifer, and he is worth supporting. Check out www.OperationWitness.com.

He is my friend, and I always defend my friends.

Thanks to the folks that actually called me or emailed me and asked for specifics and were open minded in this “discussion.”

This is a free country. Those who want to support Randall will and those who don't want to won't.

I think though that we will all be judged not by our works, but most of all by our charity. Do you agree?

Forgive me if I have lost it and have been harsh in my defense.

Call me anytime toll free to speak to a real (sub) human at the other end!

But most of all keep the number handy if you need to help a mom in distress in pregnancy. We've counseled 50,000 so far and with God's help we will turn most to Life!

Chris Slattery
(888) Pro-moms